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“If we get a long late breaking Indian summer, this could turn out to be one of the best vintages in 15 years” ~Paul Gregutt, video interview 9/10/10. Much has been written and said about the 2010 Washington State vintage. A warm early spring, then very cool weather in May – June pushed many vineyard locations to be several days and even weeks behind. The mild summer saw very few days with 100 degree temperatures and brought a wetter than usual September. With harvests typically beginning around Labor Day, the cool summer had many vineyard managers and winemakers sweating. Now, […]

I enjoy exploring new regions of the country’s great grape growth. Every state in the union makes wine. With California, Washington, New York, and Oregon securing the top four spots, several states are making a play for the coveted number five. Wine writers like Russ Kane and Jim Wilkerson often talk up the big state of Texas. Great Virginia evangelists like Dezel Quillen and Frank Morgan waive the “Virginia is for Wine Lovers” banner. But, there is a glove shaped state making a play for the #5 spot. With the fine folks at Michigan by the Bottle and Mike Fifer […]

Yellow Tail makes a reserve wine? This was my thought and the question I heard several times over when I told people I was reviewing Yellow Tail wine. According to the print material, “The fruit used is taken from Australia’s premium cool climate regions to maintain elegance, finesse and length of flavor. Great wine begins with the best grapes for [ yellow tail ] Reserve. You can taste the difference.” This is what I wanted to determine, could you taste the difference? Over the last 30 years the Casella family has taken Yellow Tail from small production to over 11 […]

Welcome to a sneak peek of Nectar Tasting Room. Last week I announced the upcoming opening of a wine tasting room in downtown Spokane. Five Washington wineries will share a 2000 square foot space as their satellite tasting room. The lease has been signed, the wineries have been selected and now the journey begins. There are three questions everyone asks once they hear of the new venture. Where is it? When are you going to open? What wineries are involved? The first I can answer with absolute certainty. The location is 120 N. Stevens right on the corner of […]

When I say Wenatchee, what comes to mind? Apples? Brown hills? Where the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers converge, the city of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee provide a hub of activity at the foot of the Cascade Mountains in the center of the state. With a population of over 40,000 the major industry is agriculture, but what about grapes? I have to admit, I’ve never been too keen on a visit to Wenatchee and I’ve rarely considered it a destination for a wine journey. In fact the only Wenatchee winery that held a space in my memory bank was Fielding Hills. […]